No slip ups for the Storks in LFA Challenge Trophy

Chorley v Guiseley - Conference North play-off final - Saturday, May 9, 2015
James Dean in action against Guiseley

Published:12:09Thursday 29 September 2016

Padiham avoided any slip up at Bacup Borough’s West View ground on Wednesday night in the first round of this season’s Partners Foundation Challenge Trophy, winning a scrappy encounter 1-0.

The game was played in windy conditions and both sets of players couldn’t be faulted for their endeavour, with Bacup’s Stewart Craig having the first shot in anger with an early effort that flew over the Storks’ crossbar.

At the other end, home keeper Aaron Ashley prevented Padiham taking the lead, coming out on top in a one on one situation.

Ashley was in action again on 17 minutes to tip a James Dean shot round his post and was then able to watch a Joseph Whittington free kick go wide in the visitors’ next attack.

Padiham then had full back Tom Bradley to thank for blocking a back post effort from Jonathan Thompson, following a well-placed free kick that found the Bacup striker unmarked

Five minutes before half-time though, Padiham caught the home defence off guard when a long ball forward from Brandon Barski released Dean, and the Storks’ leading goalscorer made no mistake with a shot out of the reach of Ashley to lead 1-0 at the break.

Bacup never really threatened any sort of fight back in a second half Padiham controlled, and they nearly added to their lead when Dean powered a header from a Kieran Demaine cross straight at Ashley, and Kieron Pickup had an effort cleared at the last minute after lobbing Ashley and just failing to get enough power on his shot.

Padiham are next in action on Saturday when they host 1874 Northwich in the League Cup at the Arbories, kick-off 3 p.m.